| Homemade Laundry Recipes
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Whether you are trying to live more frugally, or just like the idea of knowing just what goes into the laundry products you use, making your own detergent, softener, and stain treater can be very rewarding. Here are a variety of recipes for you to try out, and maybe even improve on! Many of these recipes have been circulated on the Web and have an avid following!
Note: If you're on a septic tank, it's not recommended that you use soap in your laundry. Many people do it with no problem, but because of the possible risks I would advise against it. Also, as with any product, if you have a garment that you are not sure about washing, be sure to test it in an inconspicuous place. If unsure, follow the label's care instructions.
Liquid Laundry Detergent - Recipe #1
3 Pints Water
1/3 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated *
1/2 Cup Washing Soda **
1/2 Cup Borax **
2 Gallon Bucket
1 Quart Hot Water
Hot Water
Directions: Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints of water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with additional hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.
* Ivory Soap, Deodorant Soap, and Beauty Bars can be substituted
** Can usually be found in your grocer's laundry aisle
Liquid Laundry Detergent - Recipe #2
1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Tablespoons Glycerin
2 Gallons Water
Directions: Mix all three ingredients together. Add glycerin and water. Use 1/2 - 3/4 cup per load. Best when used with cold or warm water.
Liquid Laundry Detergent - Recipe #3
Water
1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
5 Gallon Bucket
1 Cup Washing Soda
4 1/2 Gallons Water
Directions: Place grated soap in a small saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water, and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and mix well. As it cools it will thicken. May be used immediately. Use 1-2 cups per load.
Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
Directions: For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.
If you like a slight fragrance to your wash, you may want to add a few drops of essential oils to any of the above recipes.
Fabric Softener - Recipe #1
2 Cups White Vinegar
2 Cups Baking Soda
4 Cups Water
Directions: Combine slowly and carefully over sink. The baking soda and vinegar will fizz. Pour into plastic bottle, cover, and shake. Use 1/4 cup in the final rinse or in a "Downy Ball".
Fabric Softener - Recipe #2
1 cup glycerin
1 gallon water
Directions: Mix together in a large bottle. Add 1/2 cup to washing machine rinse cycle. You could also add some essential oil for fragrance.
You can also use these products alone to soften:
Plain White Vinegar - Add 1/2 cup to final rinse.
Baking Soda - Add 1/4 cup to final rinse.
Hair Conditioner or Cream Rinse - Pour 1 tablespoon into damp washcloth and toss in with clothes.
Stain Remover - Recipe #1
1/2 Cup Ammonia
1/2 Cup White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Liquid Laundry Detergent (Use HomeMade)
2 Quarts Water
Directions: Mix well, and store in spray bottle. Hint: reuse your old "Spray and Wash" bottle.
Stain Remover - Recipe #2
1/2 Cup Ammonia
1/2 Cup Liquid Laundry Detergent (Use HomeMade)
1/2 Cup White Vinegar
1/2 Cup Water
Directions: Mix well, and store in spray bottle.
Stain Remover - Recipe #3
1/4 Cup Borax or Washing Soda
2 Cups Cold Water
Directions: Sponge on and let dry, or soak the fabric in Borax mixture before washing in soap and cold water.
Stain Remover - Recipe #4 (For Heavily Stained Clothing)
Note: This is for use with white cotton, nylon and polyester only.
1/2 Cup Liquid Laundry Detergent (Use HomeMade)
1/2 Cup Electric Dishwasher Detergent
1/2 Cup Non-Chlorinated Bleach
Directions: Soak clothes in washing machine overnight or until stains disappear. Launder as usual.
Stain Remover - Recipe #5
Not a "natural" recipe, but a homemade treatment that is used by professionals to get
tough stains out of garments. It's been rumored this formula was used to clean George Washington's baby gown.
1 cup of Dove Dishwashing Detergent (in the white bottle)
1 cup of Clorox II powder (in the blue box, NOT yellow box or the liquid kind)
1 cup of hot water (as hot as the garment will take)
Directions: Combine ingredients and mix until well blended. Rub into the stain and let sit 30 minutes, longer depending on the stain. Rinse. If still visible, repeat the process. This will work on most stains, with the exceptions of those that have not been heat set (though some people swear it has removed stains even after they have gone through the dryer).
You can also use these products alone to remove stains:
Plain White Vinegar
Hydrogen Peroxide
Fels Naptha Castile Soap
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Article by: Michelle Lehmann
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